Picture Frame Easel Back Replacement

ABSTRACT

The invention consists of a single piece of a stiff resilient material in an irregular hexagon shape that may be folded along three designated lines of weakness into a triangular pyramid shape and then attached to the back picture frame by means of a commercial adhesive or Velcro patches with said pyramid shape supporting the frame for display on a horizontal surface such as a table or desk.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Patent Application Number: 62/283,477

Filing Date: Sep. 3, 2015

Relationship: Provisional application was for the same invention

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not made by an agency of the United States Government nor under a contract with an agency of the United States Government.

PARTIES TO JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a replacement for the easel back which finds application in supporting a picture frame in an upright position on a table, desk or other horizontal surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Frames have been used to display and protect paintings for hundreds of years. In more recent times, frames were adapted to display and protect photographs as well. Framed pictures are generally displayed by either mounting them on a wall or other vertical surface or by propping them on a table, desk, fireplace mantle or other horizontal surface. Framed pictures displayed in the latter manner are typically supported by an easel back that is a component of the table picture frame. However, these easel backs are typically made of cardboard and often become worn or torn during usage of the frame, sometimes to the point of no longer being able to support the frame resulting in the user having to purchase a new table picture frame. The invention described in this invention is a replacement for the easel back allowing the user to continue to use the table picture frame.

The major components of a typical table picture frame are 1) the actual frame or moulding which surrounds the edges of the picture, 2) a protective transparent cover (glazing), 3) a colored and/or textured mat board, 4) a backing board and 5) an easel back. The easel back is typically an elongated stiff leg that is hinged at its upper end to the backing board. The easel back can be swung out from out the backing board through a limited arc to form an angle for placement on the table or other horizontal surface. The angled easel back thus props up the table picture frame in a slightly rearward leaning position.

In some inexpensive frames the easel back is integrated part of the backing board, in essence the easel back is a cutout from the backing board along all sides of the easel back except the upper end of the easel back. Thus a portion of the backing board is pulled away from the remainder of the backing board to form the angled support for the table picture frame.

A typical shortcoming associated with the conventional easel back is its relative lack of stability when the picture frame or the table it is resting on is jostled or bumped. The easel back may shift on the table resulting in the loss of support and the table picture frame may topple over causing damage to the frame or glazing. The invention described in this application provides an improved measure of stability for the table picture frame.

Another shortcoming associated with the conventional easel back, particularly with the integrated backing board/easel back design, is the easel back become worn or torn which can impair its ability to prop up the table picture frame. The invention described in this application provides a replace for the worn or torn easel back, thus allowing the user to continue to utilized the same table picture frame even after the easel back will no longer support the frame.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described in this specification consists of a single piece of art board, fiber board or heavy cardboard in an irregular hexagon that may be folded along three designated lines of weakness into a triangular pyramid shape and then attached to the backing board of a table picture frame. The folded pyramid shape replaces the easel back in providing support for the table picture frame display.

After the pre-folded shape is folded along its designated lines of weakness into the pyramid shape, the shape is set by securing the folded sides together with a commercial adhesive. The pyramid shape may then be affixed to the picture frame's backing board with commercial adhesive. Velcro® patches affixed to both the folded pyramid shape and the picture frame's backing board may be used in place of the commercial adhesive to secure the pyramid shape to the table picture frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates the invention in its pre-folded shape. The dotted lines represent the points of weakness for folding.

FIG. 2 illustrates the invention in its folded pyramid shape.

FIG. 3 illustrates the invention in its folded pyramid shape attached to a picture frame which is represented by the dotted lines.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in its pre-folded shape. An arc (g) has been cut out of the member (1) along edge (f). This aides the user in knowing which surface to affix to the picture frame once the invention is in its folded shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention described in this specification is a replacement for the easel back that is used to prop up a picture frame displayed on a horizontal surface such as a desk, table, or fireplace mantle. The invention can replace a worn or torn easel back thus allowing the frame to continue to display its contained picture.

The easel back replacement comprises a flat irregular hexagon member (1) formed of a stiff resilient material such as art board, fiber board or heavy cardboard. A typical member (1) may have a thickness of 2 mm. The member (1) is folded along designated lines of weakness into a triangular pyramid shape (“the device”) and then attached to the backing board of a table picture frame.

In FIG. 1 the solid lines represent the outer edges of the invention and the dotted lines indicate the points of weakness where the invention is folded to be attached to the back of a picture frame. The dimensions in centimeters (cm) of a typical embodiment of the invention are as follows:

-   -   edge (a): 9 cm     -   edge (b): 11 cm     -   edge (c): 9.8 cm     -   edge (d): 17.8 cm     -   edge (e): 7.5 cm     -   edge (f): 37.3 cm

The angles at the intersection of the edges on a typical embodiment of the invention are:

-   -   edge (a) to edge (b): 108°     -   edge (b) to edge (c): 173°     -   edge (c) to edge (d): 165°     -   edge (d) to edge (e): 110°     -   edge (e) to edge (f): 90°     -   edge (f) to edge (a): 90°

It should be noted that the edge lengths and angles described above are for one embodiment of the invention and the invention is not limited to the edge lengths and angles described above. The invention may be larger or smaller than the embodiment described for use with a variety of picture frame sizes.

The member (1) has three lines of weakness for folding the member (1) into its pyramid shape. The first line of weakness (11) extends transversely across the member (1) from the conjunction of edges (b) and (c) to the opposite edge (f). The second line of weakness (12) extends transversely across the member (1) from the conjunction of edges (c) and (d) to the opposite edge (f). The third line of weakness (13) extends from a point approximately 60% along the length of edge (d) transversely across the member (1) to the opposite edge (f). When the member (1) is folded along these lines of weakness, it forms the triangular pyramid shape (“the device”) illustrated in FIG. 2.

After the member (1) has been folded along the lines of weakness into its triangular pyramid shape, the shape is set by securing the overlapping portions of the member together using a commercial adhesive. The portion of the member (1) between line of weakness (13) and edge (e) is affixed to the portion of the member (1) between edges (a) and line of weakness (11). The device is then affixed to the backing board of the table picture frame using commercial adhesive. The surface of the device between lines of weakness (11) and (12) is affixed to the backing board of the picture frame with the folded member typically positioned such that edge (c) is even with the bottom of the frame. In some instances the backing board is inset from the edges of the frame such that the back side of the frame extends beyond the backing board. In these cases, the member may be cut along lines of weakness (11) and (12) and the member folded back to allow the device to fit against the backing board.

Velcro® patches may be used as alternative to commercial adhesive in affixing the folded member (1) to the backing board of a picture frame. The use of Velcro® as the means of affixing the easel back replacement to the table picture frame allows the device to be removed from the picture frame without damaging either the device or the backing board of the picture frame.

An arc (g) may be cut out from the member along out along edge (f) as illustrated in FIG. 4. This aides the user in knowing which surface to affix to the picture frame once the invention is in its folded shape.

Although prototypes of the invention has been made using art board and cardboard, materials used to manufacture the invention are not limited to the same. Any material of sufficient stiffness to support a picture frame once folded yet sufficient flexibility to fold without breaking can be used for the invention. The folded invention may be attached to the back of the picture frame using glue, Velcro® patches or other commercially available adhesives.

A Potential patent classification for this invention is Class 248 Supports; Sub-Class 455 Prop maintains surface in adjusted position.

As seen by the descriptions above and the various illustration, this invention may be embodied in many different sizes and should not be construed as limited to the size of the embodiments set forth herein. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in sizes and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. It is therefore intended that the present invention not be limited to the exact forms and details described and illustrated herein, but falls within the scope of the appended claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device for the replacement of a picture frame easel back comprising an irregular hexagon shape and flat member formed from a stiff resilient member, said member having three lines of weakness extending transversely between opposite points across the member whereby the member may be folded at these lines of weakness to form a generally triangular pyramid shape which then may be affixed to the backing board of a picture frame to support the picture frame for display on a horizontal surface.
 2. A device for supporting a picture frame for display on a horizontal surface, said device comprising an irregular hexagon shape and flat member formed from a stiff resilient member, said member having three lines of weakness extending transversely between opposite points across the member whereby the member may be folded at these lines of weakness to form a generally triangular pyramid shape which then may be affixed to the backing board of a picture frame 